Senior Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin) finally has it all-he's running with the popular crowd and dating the hottest girl in high school. In fact, he's so cool he's even dissing his best friend Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse).… MoreSenior Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin) finally has it all-he's running with the popular crowd and dating the hottest girl in high school. In fact, he's so cool he's even dissing his best friend Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). But trouble arrives when an intriguing stranger Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves in next door. He seems like a great guy at first, but there's something not quite right-and everyone, including Charlie's mom (Toni Collette), doesn't notice. After witnessing some very unusual activity, Charlie comes to an unmistakable conclusion: Jerry is a vampire preying on his neighborhood. Unable to convince anyone that he's telling the truth, Charlie has to find a way to get rid of the monster himself in this revamp of the comedy-horror classic. -- (C) DreamWorks

Consensus:
It may not have been necessary to remake the 1985 cult classic, but the new Fright Night benefits from terrific performances by Colin Farrell and David Tennant -- and it's smart, funny, and stylishly gory to boot.

Nigel Floyd

Time Out

A boring revamp, with dull 3D effects, insipid teenage protagonists and only sporadically scary outbursts of neck-biting, crucifix-wielding and staking through the heart.

Farrell is all darting eyes, facial ticks and macho confidence. He never goes over the top, he's not a showy actor, but he's clearly relishing his role and eating it up with abandon. He makes this a Night to remember.

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While at first glance I dreaded a remake of the 1980's cult classic… More[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]
While at first glance I dreaded a remake of the 1980's cult classic "Fright Night" to the belief that it would turn out to be as dull and dissapointing as the rest of the new wave of pointless rehashes. That it would fail in all departments in living up to the original it possibly could. Due entirely to a lack of justification for it's very existence. It sort of does but sort of doesn't. But the fact of the matter is that the new Fright Night is surprisingly a very smart, very funny, very gory, fantastically entertaining horror comedy that gives you exactly what it is that you pay to see. Craig Gillespie was right to choose Colin Farrell as the menacing and silently blood thirsty bad guy. There's no exception in that all the performances are great and are arguably the most entertaining aspects of the film. Christopher Mintz-Plasse has fun with his usual shtick although lowers it down slightly in tone, as he recieves a role in which he can lash out angrily despite not reaching the comedic and scary heights of his brilliant role in Kick-Ass. David Tennant however, is the ultimate harbinger of tear dripping, laugh out loud hilarity. If it was up to me I would be casting him in every single upcoming horror comedy simply because he is an energetic master of comedy. He get's a very raunchy and sweary role in this and i'm glad that it happened. The gore, the main attraction besides the actors, is also very good. Overall, the film is not as blood soaked as I wanted it to be but it managed to make up for it with some impressive moments of genuine suspense and panic. It's also very stylistically filmed featuring some dark and murky yet beautiful cinematography. I'd say it's definitely directed with enough style to classify it as a cut above the usual horror flick production stable. However even as it manages to tick all the boxes for light hearted, single viewing entertainment it is still incredibly unremarkable. But that's not a bad thing at all, it could have been a lot worse. Again it's in one ear and out the other. But while it lasts, it's absolutely terrific fun.

Chris Miele

Of course its nowhere near the awesomeness of the original, but it still has an energy of its own that makes it an enjoyable flick that plays by the old school… MoreOf course its nowhere near the awesomeness of the original, but it still has an energy of its own that makes it an enjoyable flick that plays by the old school vampire rules. Sure I may have some biased based upon the fact that I'm comparing this film to the original, but it is still good for a viewing.

Alexis Nomm

I didn't hate it, but it wasn't as good as the original .

Mark Walker

Yet another horror remake comes our way with this modern take on the 1985 original. Really though, all this latest one delivers is use of CGI that wasn't… MoreYet another horror remake comes our way with this modern take on the 1985 original. Really though, all this latest one delivers is use of CGI that wasn't available in the 80's. Added to which, the special effects from the original were actually rather good, so ultimately, this is no improvement whatsoever.
Charley Brewster's (Anton Yelchin) teenage life is going pretty well. He has a good relationship with his mother Jane (Toni Collette); Heâ(TM)s dating the gorgeous Amy (Imogen Poots), albeit at the expense of losing his geeky friend Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), and is about to finish high school. But then he begins to suspect that new neighbour Jerry (Colin Farrell) is a vampire and enlists the help of 'vampire slayer' Peter Vincent (David Tennant), to protect himself and loved ones.
Having the claustrophobic American suburbia as your setting, while sinister things are going on, is normally a winning concoction. It certainly looks this way, when we are introduced to our characters from the get go. However, we kind of know where the story is supposed to be heading yet it takes an age to get there. Too much time is spent on yapping and not enough on biting. It's no big secret that Farrell is the bloodsucking villain of the show but it seems to waste a lot of time reminding you of this, instead of letting his fangs loose. Like the original, the mixture of humour and horror is competently handled (most notably from Mintz-Plasse doing his "Superbad" schtick and Tennant in the mould of a leather clad, ball scratching Russell Brand) and the film does deliver some dark and threatening moments but overall, it has far too many lulls to fully grip. It's a bit of a stop and start affair. The performances are what (almost) keep the film's life from draining away. Farrell makes for an intriguing, brooding vampire, seemingly, relishing the role and Tennant adds some much needed zest to the proceedings. Wasting the talents of the wonderful Toni Collette is unforgivable though.
Ultimately, it's a lacklustre affair that should appeal mainly to the "Twilight" generation of spotty-faced youths. There may be some biting involved here, but really, there's nothing to chew on.

Christian C

A solid remake. I would imagine someone other than Yelchin could have made a more appealing star, but he was adequate for the role. Farrell as the vampire… MoreA solid remake. I would imagine someone other than Yelchin could have made a more appealing star, but he was adequate for the role. Farrell as the vampire nextdoor, "Jerry", was an interesting but enjoyable choice.

Tired of Previews

Directed by Craig Gillespie, Albuquerque Studios, 2011, Starring Colin Farrell, Anton Yelcin, Toni Collette, David Tennant and Imogen Poots.
Genre: Comedy,… MoreDirected by Craig Gillespie, Albuquerque Studios, 2011, Starring Colin Farrell, Anton Yelcin, Toni Collette, David Tennant and Imogen Poots.
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Question: Do you ever decide that you want to conquer your fears because you are tired of being so scared? Well, let me tell you I just tried facing my fear of horror movies with Fright Night today. It was a bad idea - a very bad idea.
I should tell you I saw the original and didn't find that one all that scary and I love a good vampire story (and Colin Farrell as a vampire - I mean, come on!). So I was kind of thinking I could handle this one, no problem. Well, I was wrong - very, very wrong. However, it wasn't so much the movie that scared me but what led up to it. It sort of made me rethink the whole conquering fear thingy.
First, I show up to the theatre thinking it starts at 10:45am. I wanted that show because that was the only one that wasn't 3D. But when I get there the first showing wasn't until 11:00am and it was 3D. Damn! Fine...
So, then I get into the theatre and take my seat and realized I didn't have my headphones. I usually sit in the theatre and listen to my IPod so as to block out others and avoid hearing the previews. Damn! Previews start and here is where the chicken that I am starts to take a hold...
The first preview is The Thing where the lead character's name was Kate. I remember John Carpenter's version and that one scared me to tears but the "Kate" thing started my heart pounding a little. Next preview: Paranormal Activity 3 starts with two little girls where the oldest girl is called Katie. Ummm, perhaps I should mention now that my name is Katy.
Alright, still having to listen to (and sometimes peek at) the previews with eerily haunting music playing, people screaming or calling for help, and then hearing my name a few times I started to panic a little. However, I really started freaking out when I realized I was the only one in the entire theatre. My heart started pounding more, my legs soon curled up to my chest and I started wanting my stuffed animal from my youth, Herman the whale. And the movie hadn't even started yet.
Next preview: Don't Be Afraid of the Dark starring Katie Holmes. Really!! Next preview was for Straw Dogs starring Kate Bosworth. I AM NOT KIDDING!! Yes, I am actually freaking out because every horror movie preview they are showing has my name or a variation of my name somehow connected to the film. That was just too coincidental for my taste. Luckily, the next preview was for Harold and Kumar with some Christmas movie, and I am thoroughly glad I had not taken what they usually take or the paranoia would have be at an all time high (sorry for the pun).
I started to relax after the last preview but then there was another preview. Dam...oh wait, it is for a vampire movie. I don't mind those. It was for Underworld Awakening, but then I remembered who stars in that series... let's say it together... Kate Beckinsale! Alright, enough of the Kates and Katies but that one I will see. I loved the first Underworld so I was happy at that moment.
However, just when I thought it was safe...a summer teenage movie preview started and there was a lake...oh, and by this point we, I mean, I had to put on the 3D glasses...where was I? Oh yeah, there was a lake and...sharks! Shark Night 3D. Seriously!? Did I ever mention that I don't go in the ocean anymore? I was done and completely terrified by that point. No headphones, all the horror movie previews with all the Kates/Katies, and I was all alone. Help me...
I was supposed to talk about Fright Night wasn't I? Well, I sat through the movie, giggled a little, enjoyed seeing Colin Farrell almost shirtless, and watched some decent acting through a campy story all while my heart was racing because the majority of the movie is set in the dark. Remember I said I was all alone and now in a dark theatre with plenty of blood and guts seemingly beaming right out of the screen towards me? This may be the dumbest idea I have ever had. At least I knew how it was going to end. Trust me I kept praying for it to end because I really needed to go to the bathroom but was too chicken to stand up and walk out.
The 3D effects were not needed at all but one got me. Damn! Now I might need to find Herman and sleep with him tonight. Anyway, all-in-all it was a tolerable movie. It probably wasn't all that scary but I think I was just set up to be a tiny bit more scared than most. I did enjoy a surprise or two and there was one 10 second moment where I wouldn't have run away either from the vampire (Mr. Colin Farrell). Y'all will just have to see the movie to figure that one out.
Now for the end of the movie: The credits come on but the theatre remains dark and I can't stand up. It's too dark and the after-effects of the last two hours have a strong hold on me. And let me tell you my Iphone does not have a very bright screen. So, I sat there until the lights came on and almost ran out into the sunlight...Yep, I am a chicken and I will not being seeing another horror movie in the theatre for a long, long time.
So, what did I learn today about conquering fears? Well, it sucks and I think I need to change my name.
My favorite thing: I am at a loss for words on that one.
My least favorite thing: That I will probably be sleeping with Herman tonight.
Rating: R
Length: 106 minutes
Review: 4 out of 10

Sergio Garcia

I like this movie in the 80's. Yeah it was absurd and funny as hell, so I was expecting something similar and not really. Colin is a great actor and this… MoreI like this movie in the 80's. Yeah it was absurd and funny as hell, so I was expecting something similar and not really. Colin is a great actor and this boy Anton also impress me a few times in the past. But the movie is not what I was expecting.

Mike S

Nice to see a new vampire flick that doesn't involve any glitter or awkward teen angst. This is more like the ones we got in the 80's and 90's,… MoreNice to see a new vampire flick that doesn't involve any glitter or awkward teen angst. This is more like the ones we got in the 80's and 90's, where vampires do what vampires are supposed to, as in sucking blood and spawning terror, as opposed to just sucking. Pacing-wise, it's pretty draggy in the first half. Had it been like that for its entire length, it would have earned nothing more than a mediocre 3 stars. Luckily, however, it gets a lot better in the second act, where the action is kicked up into a gloriously bloody gore-fest. Great SFX as well, even if I wasn't too keen on the whole "monsterization" of the vamps. And by that I don't mean the way they are depicted as a race - for their are undoubtedly a bunch of evil bastards in this - but rather their physical transformations into over-the-top CGI freaks. A little more subtlety would definitely have been preferable. And altough creepy and suspenseful, I'm not sure it really deserves the title "Fright Night". Maybe I'm just jaded, but in my view, it was never any scary. A pretty entertaining film either way though, with dependable performances from the entire cast. Christopher Mintz-Plasse in particular is very fun as the typical nerd, who also happens to be a self-entitled vampire hunter. Sort of reminiscent of the movie <i>The Lost Boys</i>, except with more humor and better action. An optimal pick for Halloween, or if you're in the mood for a good horror-comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Clintus Maximus

Featuring top-of-the-line frights, suspense, and even bursts of comedic wit; Fright Night is a sensational scare fest and a welcome change from what's… MoreFeaturing top-of-the-line frights, suspense, and even bursts of comedic wit; Fright Night is a sensational scare fest and a welcome change from what's passing for Vampire-themed entertainment these days. Colin Farrell displays an impressive swagger, but its never too much. He's a superior vampire to the lovesick wimps in Twilight or The Vampire Diaries. Farrell plays a charming, cunning killer - closer to Lugosi, Frank Langella, or George Hamilton. I also liked the Charley character (Anton Yelchin); he's got enough backbone to carry himself through his vampire-killing quest .Charley's supposed friend Evil Ed (McLovin) is too hilarious to describe. Girlfriend Imogen Poots is believable and hot, and horror entertainer Peter Vincent, played by David Tennant, is fantastic.
Fright Night certainly beats the pack of teen horrors movies lately. Infinitely better than the Twilight saga, it even manages a clever put-down of that teen angst fest. Well-shot and directed (Las Vegas locale an inspired touch), if you'll forgive my cliché, this movie is wickedly funny

MisterYoda ?

four stars!!

Nate Zoebl

Horror is a genre that's been notoriously cannibalistic, especially as of late. I don't mean flesh-eating, I mean the glut of remakes that has… MoreHorror is a genre that's been notoriously cannibalistic, especially as of late. I don't mean flesh-eating, I mean the glut of remakes that has polluted the horror market in recent years. After remakes of Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the Thirteenth, The Hills Have Eyes, House of Wax, Prom Night, My Bloody Valentine, The Amityville Horror, The Fog, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Black Christmas, Sorority Row, Dawn of the Dead, The Crazies, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, I Spit on Your Grave, Last House on the Left, The Thing, and scads more, you'd be forgiven for believing that the remake of 1985's Fright Night would be another soulless cash grab. It turns out that it's way better than even the original and quite an entertaining movie that got lost in the shuffle.
In a quiet little suburb outside Las Vegas, students are going missing. Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) suspects that there is a vampire in town. Ed's former friend, Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin), dismisses this idea, especially since the would-be vampire in question is his new neighbor, Jerry (Colin Farrell), a home construction worker who seems to work at night mostly. But lo and behold, after Ed goes missing, Charley concludes that his old friend was right all along. Jerry has his eyes set on Charley's single realtor mom, Jane (Toni Colette), and maybe even Charlie's sprightly girlfriend, Amy (Imogen Poots). The only ally Charley can muster is a drunken Vegas magician in the Criss Angel tradition. Peter Vincent (David Tennant) has been studying vampires for years due to his tragic personal connection to vampires, notably Jerry.
Fright Night finds that horror sweet spot, equal parts scary and funny. Credit screenwriter Marti Noxon who cut her teeth on TV's seminal show (yeah, I said it) Buffy the Vampire Slayer; there's even a reference to a "Scooby gang" for we Buffy fans. Noxon does a terrific job of establishing a suspenseful situation and then developing it nicely, teasing it out. There's a sequence where Charley is trying to rescue a neighbor lady that just involves a series of hiding places but uses a simple setup of ducking around corners so well. When our plucky protagonist checks in with Vincent for some assistance, we're introduced to an array of exotic vampire-hunting weapons and artifacts that the Vegas magician has under glass. With a setup like that, you better believe we're going to be using those weapons later, and how. The character development is richer than most teens-battle-monster genre films. The relationship between Charley and Ed, and the awkwardness and resentment of two friends growing apart, feels rather believable even dropped into the middle of a vampire adventure. The standard girlfriend role is given a bit more weight, as she's the one who feels confidant and aggressive. She knows what she wants, and as played by the adorably named Imogen Poots (Solitary Man), you want to be what she wants. Seriously, this actress is striking in her Grecian features and I like a woman who knows how to handle a mace. There are also small touches that I really enjoyed that helped round out the movie. At one moment, a woman is being feed on by Jerry and she spots Charley hiding behind a door. Rather than cry out for help, she carefully draws a shaking finger to her mouth, wishing him to keep quiet and not to save her. The resolution of this rescue attempt is shocking in all the right ways. It's a surprise that feels completely within reason, and organic twists and turns are always the most satisfying.
Noxon's script continually surprises even when it starts to follow a by-the-numbers plot. Instead of an axe lopping off a vampire's head, it just goes about halfway through thanks to the rigidity of bone. That's a nice touch, but then when that same vampire tries to bite our hero and can't move his fairly severed neck closer, then that's when Noxon has capitalized on her cleverness. And she capitalizes often enough for Fright Night to be a real step above most vampire action flicks. Noxon also finds clever spins on vampire mythos; to get around the whole can't-enter-without-an-invitation rule, Jerry just attempts to blow up the Brewster's home to drive them out ("Don't need an invitation if there's no house"). There's a particularly ingenious method to light a vampire on fire. And the entire character of Peter Vincent, played brilliantly by Dr. Who actor David Tennant, is a hoot and a great addition. He's a riot as a cynical, profane, and selfish stage performer. His character is such an enjoyably comic foil, and Tennant plays him with aplomb, that you almost wish for a Peter Vincent spinoff movie.
Director Craig Gillespie shows that he is shocking adept when it comes to staging a horror film. I would not have expected this level of competency from the director of Lars and the Real Girl. It embraces its R-rating and the bloodshed is plentiful though the gore is restrained. Gillespie draws out scenes with judicious editing, letting the dread build steadily. The tension of something simple like Jerry standing in a doorway, waiting for any verbal slipup to come inside, can be terrific. Gillespie also has some nifty visual tricks up his sleeve to complement Noxon's crafty screenplay. There's one scene where Jerry walks into a hotel lobby and is confronted by a security guard. The camera pans over a series of security monitors that do not pick up Jerry. Then in the background we see Jerry hurl the guard to the ground to bite him and in the foreground we see the security footage minus Jerry. There's an ongoing tracking shot inside a fleeing minivan that's not exactly Children of Men but still a good way to feel the fever of panic. The final showdown between Charley and Vincent versus Jerry is suitably climactic and rewarding, nicely tying back elements that were introduced earlier and giving Poots an opportunity to vamp out, literally and figuratively.
Farrell (Horrible Bosses) is a charming, sexy, alluring menace as Jerry, which is exactly what you'd want in a vampire (sorry Twilight fans). Vampires are supposed to be seductive; they're inherently sexual, what with all that biting and sucking and sharing of body fluids. If Jerry is going to be dangerous, he also has to be seductive, and Farrell is exactly that. With his swaggering walk, with his pose-worthy stances, with his grins, he's a great ambassador for vampire kind. But this guy does more than preen; he's also a credible threat. He's the bad boy that is actually quite bad. Farrell's enjoyment of his villainous role is noticeable. Jerry taunts Vincent: "You have your mother's eyes." He shoots and misses the big bad vamp. "And your father's aim," he add, chillingly. Having a strong villain can do wonders for an action movie, and Jerry is a formidable foe played with great relish by Farrell.
Not everything goes off without a hitch. The special effects can be dodgy at times, especially when Jerry goes into full CGI vampire face. The vampires tend to look like shark people, with long exaggerated jaws and rows of gnarly teeth. It's not a particularly good look. While Noxon's script excels in most areas, there is still enough dangling plot threads. Charley's mother is really never a figure of significance. Her potential romance of her neighbor/vampire is a storyline that is never capitalized upon, oddly enough. That seems like the kind of storyline you'd build a whole movie around. She's written out of the movie in hasty fashion, immediately going from a sequence of driving to being unconscious in a hospital bed. How did that happen exactly? After the Brewster house explodes, nobody seems to make a big deal out of this, like it's just some regular neighborhood occurrence. What kind of neighborhood watch is this?
Fright Night is just a fun night out at the movies. It's got plenty of laughs thanks to Noxon's clever script, plenty of scares thanks to Gillespie, and plenty of sex appeal oozing from Farrell (though "sex appeal" and "oozing" don't sound like an advisable linguistic match). It's not much more than a vampire action flick but it's a really good vampire action flick, clearly a cut above the dreck that usually just relies on its audience's understanding of genre convention to cover up for its shortcomings. There's no reason you cannot be a bad movie with this genre, and Fright Night is proof of that. Convincingly acted, cleverly staged, and surprisingly well-executed, this is one genre movie that hits the right vein.
Nate's Grade: A-

jay nixon

Messy remake is missing much of the goofy charm of the original which it substitutes with unnecessary gore. The cast can't be blamed even though none… MoreMessy remake is missing much of the goofy charm of the original which it substitutes with unnecessary gore. The cast can't be blamed even though none really share the chemistry that Chris Sarandon and Roddy McDowell had in the first film. It's good to see Colin Farrell back in a mainstream movie but the film is weak and Toni Collette is wasted.